US1989377A

US1989377A - Ski creeper

Info

Publication number: US1989377A
Application number: US717788A
Authority: US
Inventors: Asa C Osborn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-03-28
Filing date: 1934-03-28
Publication date: 1935-01-29
Anticipated expiration: 1952-01-29

Description

Jan. 29, 1935.

A. c. osBoRN SKI CREEPER Filed March 28, 1954 -Paiemed' Jan. 29, 193s UNITED STATES latam u PATENT OFFICE SKI CREEPER Asa C. Osborn, Weymouth, Mass.

Application March 28, 1934, Serial No. 717,788

7 Claims. (Cl. 208-184) This invention relates to a creeping device to be detachably secured to a ski, thereby enabling the skier to traverse difficult ascents or descents when it is desired to prevent slipping of the` ski upon the traversed surface.

There are many occasions when the skier wishes to establish positive frictional contact between the skis and the snow or iced surface over which he travels. Such is the case in climbing grades or in trail running in hilly or mountainous country. 'I'he skier always needs this frictional grip upon the snow when he is returning to the top of a ski run. It is possible for an experienced skier to scale some grades without the assistance of a special device upon the skis, for instance, by means of the herringbone step, the side step, or by traversing a zigzag path. 'I'hese methods, however, require skill and are exceedingly tiring to the skier and also consume unnecessary time.

It is the chief object of the present invention to provide a device which is readily attached to the ski and which provides the necessary frictional engagement with the traversed surface to enable the skier to move about in difficult places 'when it is desired to prevent slipping of the skis.

A further object of the invention is to provide a creeping device for skis which is light in weight and may be folded into a compact space or supported at the waist by a belt or strap.

A further object of the invention is to provide a creeping device which is constructed to establish a maximum of friction with the traversed surface.

A further object of the invention is to provide a`creeper which is easily and quickly attached to or detached from the ski. p

Other objects and features will more fully appear from thefollowing description in connection with the accompanying drawing and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a general view in perspective of the device attached to a ski;

Fig. 2 is a general View of the creeper detached I from the ski.

Fig. 3 is a detail view of the front fastening device.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4--4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the folds formed in the strip.

A preferred form of the invention is shown in the drawing, in which the creeper is illustrated as comprising a strip 1 of sheet material substantially the same width as the ski 2. 'I'hestrip is adapted to overlie the bottom face of the ski for a portion of its length, preferably adjacent thepoint at which the ski boot 3 is fastened. The strip l is provided with transverse shoulders 4, which are formed by projections 5 in the strip. The projections 5 may be constructed in any 5 suitable manner, such as by forming a fold in the material of which the strip is made and fastening the fold.

As shown herein, the projections consist of a plurality of plaits 6 formed in the strip. The l0 plaits may be fastened by any suitable means, such as stitching or, as shown herein, by a plurality of rivets '1.

The strip 1 is desirably constructed of relatively heavy sheet material, such as leather or 15 heavy fabric. The material should be of suflicient thickness to present when folded a substantially deep shoulder 4. The plaits 6 are formed in the strip symmetrically with respect to each other, and the strip is fastened to the ski with 20 the shoulders 4 facing towards the rear.v Any suitable means may be employed to fasten the strip to the ski.

As illustrated herein, the rear end of the strip is provided with a strap 8 which is securely fastened transversely to the end of the strip. A desirable method of fastening the strap to the strip consists in folding the end portion of the strip 1 completely around the central portion of the strap with the extremity 9 of the strip given an additional half turn about the strap. The additional half turn causes the end of the strip to assume a position between the strap and the extremity 10 of the main portion of the strip. The strap and strip are then secured in place by any suitable means, such as the rivets 11, which extend through the various layers of the strip and valso of the strap. This structure presents a neat appearance, and in case the strip is made of fabric, the raveling of the extreme end of the strip is prevented. The free ends 12 of the lstrap are folded upwardly over the top of the ski and are provided with apertures 13.

'I'he ski is provided with a rigid fastening member such as a screw 14 adapted tobe engaged by the apertures`13 of the strap to secure the rear end of the strap to the ski.

The front end of the creeper strip is provided withadjustable means for securing the creeper to the ski. In the preferred form of connecting 0 means illustrated herein, the end of the strap 1'? is folded backward to present a loop 19 at one side of the creeper strip 1, and the end of the creeper strip 1 is folded around the strap 17 and its Overlapping end portion in the manner here- Abuckiearisnxediysecuredtothestnp l'i at av suitable distance from the creeper strip 1. 'Ihe alidably mounted upon it a metal loop 23,'which is adapted to engage a suitable rigid fastening .membersuchasascrewmountedinthetp ofthe forward'portionoftheski. Infastening-the e creeper strip to the ski. the end portion 21 of the strap l'I is passed through the loop 19, the lo'op 23 engaged over the screw 24, and the end portion 21 of the strap brought backwardly through the loop into engagement with the buckle and drawn up to secure the connecting mensrmly in place.

'Ihe tip end of the strap 21 desirably is folded over and secured in place by a rivet 25 to prevent fraying of the end of the strap and also to provide a thickened portion, which when passed through the buckle will not be easily withdrawn, thereby preventing the loss of the sliding loop 23.

'Ihe operations necessary to remove the creeper are obvious and are substantially the reverse of the steps required to secure it to the ski.

Other suitable means may be employed to fasten the creeper to the ski.

In use, the projections 5 and the shoulders 4 upon the strip engage with the snow or other surface and prevent relative motion between the ski and the traversed surface. It 'will be noted that the shoulders 4 oifer a maximum resistance to the backward motion of the ski, thereby providing efficient traction for the forward motion of the skier'. When, however, the ski is brought forward in taking another step, the projection 5 offers relatively little resistance since the run of the strip between the plaits 6 presents no substantial obstructien and the rearwardly facing shoulders 4 oiler no resistance to this forward motion. An ideal condition is-thereby established which enables the skier to proceed forward with a minimum of eilort and lost motion. Furthermore, by the use of this highly efficient device awkward, tiring and many times dangerous falls are avoided.

The rivets 7 are desirably, but not necessarily, situated slightly forward of the centre line of the plaits 6. As a result of this construction, the fold 25 of the plaits is rendered slightly flexible. When the skier moves forward, the resulting backward force on the ski is absorbed to a large extent by the shoulders 4. If the traversed surface is suiliciently soft and yielding, the fold 25 will yield downwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, thereby automatically more firmly interlocking with the surface and thereby providing greater resistance against backward movement of the ski. During the forward motion of the ski, the

fold 25 assumes its normal position. More elli--` ciency may be added to the device by construct` ing the strip l of coarsely woven fabric, whichprovides added friction when the snow is in that condition where it tends to be plastic, in which case the imprint ofy the fabric creates an additional gripping action therewith.

- 'me rivets used to secure the folds or plaits are desirably so positioned tint-*their muah endsoverliethebottomfaceof-thecreeper. expanded ends of the'rivetlthereby present especially upon an-icy surface.l

Having thus invention, what isclaimed as new, and desiredtobe by the ski, s plurality or folds in said strip prenne' ing shoulders to engage the traversed surface andprevent slipping oi.' the 'ski thereon. means to the ski, said strip having a plurality of transverse plaits folded symmetrically with respect to each other and presenting shoulders facing in one direction, means to secure said plaits, said shoulders engaging the traversed surfacevto secure a maximum gripping action of the ski upon the traversed surface in one direction and means to fasten said strip to the ski.

4. In combination with a ski having rigid fastening members thereon, a creeping device comprising a strip of sheet material adapted to overlie the bottom face of the ski, said strip having a plurality of folds, means to secure said folds and fastening means at the ends of said strip coactng with the fastening members on the ski to secure the strip in position thereon.

5. In combination with a ski having rigid fastening members thereonr a creeping device comprising a strip of sheet material adapted to overlie the bottom face of the ski, said strip having a plurality of folds, means to secure said folds and adjustable fastening means at the ends of said strip coacting with the fastening members on the ski to draw the strip taut and secin'e it in position upon the ski.

6. A ski creeper comprising a strip of sheet material adapted to engage the bottom face of the ski, said strip having a plurality of transverse plaits, meansh to secure said plaits, said securing means being disposed adjacent one edge of the plaits thereby permitting flexibility of the double thickness of the sheet material atthe other edge of the plait and means t`o secure said strip to the ski.

7. A ski creeperA comprising a strip of sheet material adapted to engage thevbottom face of the ski, said strip having a plurality of transverse folds presenting shoulders, a plurality bf metallic rivets acting to secure said folds and having their expanded ends at the bottom face of the strip thereby presenting rough metallic areas for gripping icy surfaces and means to secure said strip to the ski.

'ASA C. OSBORN.